How to detect, eliminate dangerous mold in the home

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How to detect, eliminate dangerous mold in the home

Parksville Qualicum News - Parksville,British Columbia,Canada

http://www.pqbnews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?

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Apr 17 2007

Is your basement a mold breeding ground?

(NC) — It thrives in dark and damp conditions, regardless of how

warm or cold the temperature. Most types commonly found in indoor

environments can result in the aggravation of respiratory

conditions, such as asthma, allergies and sinus infections. What is

this dangerous culprit breeding in your basement and making your

family sick? It's none other than indoor mold.

According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation more than

50 per cent of all homes show visible signs of basement humidity.

Mold health effects are well documented. According to the

Environment Protection Agency, children in homes with high mold show

persistent, cold-like symptoms, three times more than average. Also,

most cases of sinusitis are a result of indoor molds.

Most household molds are made of microscopic yeast and mold species.

They cause respiratory problems by releasing microscopic spores into

the air, which carry mycotoxins, which cause the spore to be

allergenic and toxic.

Signs of a mold problem

• An increase in asthma and allergy attacks.

• Chronic leaks or wet areas often result in a mold problem.

• Mildew smell.

• Visible signs of mold.

• High humidity in the home, particularly the basement

How to reduce mold in your home

According to Gerry Gagnon, Product and Market Manager for Venmar

Ventilation, here are some key steps you can take to help eliminate

the risk of health problems related to high humidity and mold.

• Clean surfaces where there is mold with bleach.

• Fix all sources of leaks, mold thrives in damp conditions.

• Check houseplant soil and make sure it is not always very damp.

• Keep firewood outside.

• Keep the basement as dry as possible as this is where mold is most

likely to be a problem.

• Clean the shower floor frequently.

• Most importantly, ventilate and clean your indoor air. How?

According to Gagnon, the latest technology in indoor air management,

Venmar's air exchanger system, offers the best solution to reducing

indoor pollution caused by mold spores by combining the efficiency

of HEPA filtration and effective mechanical ventilation.

" The air exchanger allows polluted air to exit and fresh air,

filtered by HEPA filtration, to flow through the home, " he

added. " It also allows excess humidity and dangerous mold spores,

volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide that are not

captured by filtration, to escape the home. "

More details on how to eliminate dangerous indoor air pollutants is

available at www.venmar.ca.